Bears lose first home game since 2011

New Bern's Khalil Simpson makes a move against Durham Hillside's Eric Young during Saturday's game in New Bern. Hillside won 27-24 in overtime.

Bill Hand/Sun Journal

By Adam Thompson, Sun Journal Staff

Published: Saturday, August 24, 2013 at 11:23 PM.

Ian Burris Jr. kicked a game-winning 30-yard field goal in overtime as Durham Hillside handed New Bern its first home loss since 2011.

For the first time in three-consecutive season openers Hillside beat New Bern, this time with a 27-24 outcome.

Four-star recruit Trevion Thompson caught two touchdown passes, and New Bern quarterback Michael Hughes countered with a touchdown pass and two touchdown passes to Theron Noble.

Hillside avenged last year's 40-20 loss at New Bern, and its 27-19 defeat to the Bears in 2011. The mini-rivalry began in 2010 when Hillside knocked off New Bern, 12-7, in the 4A Eastern Regional Finals.

“We had a chip on our shoulder from the past couple years,” Thompson said. “In the offseason, we worked hard. Our seniors want to go out with a bang, so we push each other everyday in practice.”

New Bern kicker Josh Htoo knotted the game at 24-24 as time expired in regulation.

Hughes scored on a four-yard run to give New Bern a 21-17 advantage with five minutes remaining. Three minutes later, Thompson scampered down the left sideline for a 49-yard touchdown reception with two minutes to go.

Ian Burris Jr. kicked a game-winning 30-yard field goal in overtime as Durham Hillside handed New Bern its first home loss since 2011.

For the first time in three-consecutive season openers Hillside beat New Bern, this time with a 27-24 outcome.

Four-star recruit Trevion Thompson caught two touchdown passes, and New Bern quarterback Michael Hughes countered with a touchdown pass and two touchdown passes to Theron Noble.

Hillside avenged last year's 40-20 loss at New Bern, and its 27-19 defeat to the Bears in 2011. The mini-rivalry began in 2010 when Hillside knocked off New Bern, 12-7, in the 4A Eastern Regional Finals.

“We had a chip on our shoulder from the past couple years,” Thompson said. “In the offseason, we worked hard. Our seniors want to go out with a bang, so we push each other everyday in practice.”

New Bern kicker Josh Htoo knotted the game at 24-24 as time expired in regulation.

Hughes scored on a four-yard run to give New Bern a 21-17 advantage with five minutes remaining. Three minutes later, Thompson scampered down the left sideline for a 49-yard touchdown reception with two minutes to go.

On New Bern's final offensive possession of regulation, Hughes dashed 66 yards down to Hillside's five-yard line.

They had to settle for a field goal.

“We thought we had it, but just ran out of gas,” said Hughes, who passed for 146 yards and ran for 152 more. “It went their way today, but we will bounce back.

“We will just learn from our mistakes, polish ourselves and be ready to come out next week.”

Hillside struck first with an 80-yard touchdown pass to Thompson, following a missed 20-yard field goal by Htoo.

The Bears drove to the Hornets' 3-yard line after Hughes completed a 32-yard pass to Diondre Poole.

Three plays later, New Bern's offense was held to a field goal attempt. Htoo booted his kick right, and on the next Hillside play, Hornets' quarterback Nas Forte-Ferguson launched a bomb into the arms of Thompson.

New Bern, which recovered two fumbles in the first half, capitalized on a Hillside miscue. Sam Thomas fell on this fumble.

Hughes later tossed his first of two touchdown passes to Theron Noble.

Donte Thomas-Williams put the Hornets on top at halftime when he punched the ball in the end zone on a 1-yard run with a little more than two minutes remaining in the second quarter.

Noble caught a pair of 27-yard touchdown passes for New Bern. Thompson caught six passes for 163 yards and Williams ran for 106 yards for the Hornets.

“This win feels amazing,” Williams said. “We are two hard teams fighting against each other. Everybody played their hearts out. It was the little things that won this game.”